3 ms·

They were both made obsolete by satellites and now drones.

• bdunbar 14y ago
  Disagree: the reasons why the SR-71 was retired, and the U-2 is scheduled for retirement, are not technical but political and fiscal.
  • watmough 14y ago
    I don't really believe that either. Improved missiles are now able to shoot down the U2, and maybe get close to the SR-71. That makes these planes a liability now, when over developed territories such as the former USSR. Both were formerly useful, and have been brought out of retirement, when required for tasks that a satellite could not perform, or was not in position for. I wouldn't be surprised if the x37 mini-spaceplane was primarily useful as a surveillance platform.
    • bdunbar 14y ago
      Improved missiles are now able to shoot down the U2 This has probably been true since at least 1960. I wouldn't be surprised if the x37 mini-spaceplane was primarily useful as a surveillance platform. Eh. It takes an Atlas V to launch the X-37. At 90 million a launch, and months to prep, it's not exactly something one can crank out with a frag order on a day's notice.